How to Add a Custom Macro to the Word 2007 Toolbar

Before Microsoft Word 2007, Word users could rearrange the buttons on their toolbars, removing unused buttons and adding more obscure ones, including custom macro buttons, as needed. According to the company, few users took advantage of the capability, and so with Word 2007 Microsoft added the Ribbon, a multitabbed interface with fixed buttons. After this change, users could not change the buttons. For users who want to record their own macros and assign the macros to buttons, Microsoft included the QAT, or Quick Access Toolbar.

Instructions

1. Click on the “View” tab in Word.

2. Click on the “Macros” button at the right side of the ribbon.

3. Click on “Record Macro…” to begin the recording process.

4. Type in a name, without any spaces, for your macro, and a description if you like, then press “Button.”

5. Click once on the macro name in the resulting window. The name will be something like "Normal.NewMacros.YourMacroName."

6. Click the "Add" button in the middle of the window. This adds a button for your macro to the QAT.

7. Modify your custom macro button by pressing the “Modify…” button at the right of the window. You can change the name if you like, then select a button image.

8. Press “OK,” then “OK” again to exit the dialog. The "custom" button will immediately appear on your QAT and record your macro. When you’ve finished recording, press “Stop.”

Tips & Warnings

• You can enable the "Developer Ribbon" tab, which includes more macro buttons than the "View" tab, by selecting “Show Developer tab in the Ribbon” in the “Popular” section of Word’s Options dialog, accessible via the “Office” button in the top left-hand corner of the Word window. The "Developer" tab is not necessary for macro recording.